GTT, WinGD and Wärtsilä to collaborate in making LNG fuel viable

GTT has announced that it has agreed to collaborate with WinGD and Wärtsilä in making the use of LNG fuel a truly viable option for shipowners and operators.

By combining their expertise, GTT claims that all parties will seek to deliver an effective, streamlined approach for achieving compliance with environmental legislation.

Last year, an order by CMA CGM for nine LNG-fuelled, 22 000 TEU mega containerships signified a notable advance in the acceptance of LNG as a marine fuel. These vessels will be the first of their type and size to operate on LNG. WinGD, Wärtsilä and GTT cooperated closely in providing the required equipment for these vessels, and it was through this shared expertise that the industry-shaping collaboration was born.

Rolf Stiefel, Vice President Sales & Marketing, WinGD: “High efficiency and environmental sustainability are key pillars in building a successful future for shipping.

“This is why it’s so important to work together, with other industry leaders, to make ship propulsion as efficient and ‘green’ as possible.”

Timo Koponen, Vice President, Processing Solutions, Wärtsilä, added: “There is a wind of change blowing throughout the global marine industry. The conservative barriers that once resisted switching to a ‘new’ fuel are falling down, and LNG is now being accepted as a fuel for all types of ships. Through collaboration with other industry leaders, we aim to speed this process."

Philippe Berterottière, Chairman and CEO of GTT, said: “Operating on LNG fuel requires close integration between the engines, the fuel cargo tanks, and the fuel supply and control system. We are three companies having expertise in these fields, and by cooperating together we can optimise this integration process to the benefit of owners and operators around the world.”